Lil Red Dream

In 1964, Bill Golden became famous in his wheel-standing Little Red Wagon. Gary R. Voleshen of Hamlin, New York, was ten years old at the time, but the dream of one day driving an A-100 like Goldens would stay with him for a lifetime. In 1976, that dream came true.

But after owning his 66 A-100 for only three years, Gary was forced to sell the truck. Nevertheless, he never gave up the dream of owning another. He never expected hed get a second chance to own the same truck 15 years later.

Gary says the A-100 was DOA by the time it came back in his reach, but its new owner was only asking $100, and Gary couldnt turn him down. Gary bought a second truck for parts, and the restoration of his former ride began in earnest.

On the shell, Gary repainted the exterior Toreador Red to maintain that Lil Red look while modifying most everything underneath. For power, the A-100 makes use of a 440 bored .030-over with 10.5:1 Ross forged pistons and aluminum Indy 440 SR heads. Indy also takes care of the valves, springs, and rocker arms, while Holley handles carburetion duty atop the 440. The cam chosen has a .508-inch lift, with .292-inch duration, and Mopar Performance lifters that work the valves. Gary went the slightly unorthodox route with his Hedman motorhome headers and capped cutouts flowing to 3-inch Flowmaster and Supertrapp mufflers. The engine drinks from a Harwood 15-gallon fuel cell, with a nitrous boost provided every once in a while. Gary did all the engine assembly, although Drakes Engines in Rochester, New York, helped with the machining.

All that engine churns power through a modified 727 TorqueFlite via a 6-inch long Eaton HD driveshaft. A B&M Megashifter and a Mopar Performance torque converter round out the shifting duties. This combo hooks up to an 8¾ Sure Grip rear with 3.91 gears. Gary built the rear with the engine, transmission, and rear axle all in an independent subframe, with leaf springs for added support. Finally, power meets the road by way of American Torque Thrust D wheels15x6 in the front and 15x8.5 in the back. Tires are 215x70x15 up front and 255x70x15 in back.

On the interior, Garys focus is practicality. To wit, his dash sticker reads, Radio? we doan need no steenking radio . Instead, Flowmasters keep the bass pumping. The interior also features a full roll cage, pedestal-mounted B&M ratchet shifter, and an 1/8-inchthick aluminum engine cover with bi-fold access. Gary checks his A-100s pulse on the road using a Mallory tachometer with a shift light and rev limiter, as well as Autometer gauges.

The A-100 is legal on the street, but its still a mean foe on the quarter-mile. Gary says his best time is a 12.91 e.t. at 107 mph, but that was before he put on the Indy heads and installed the nitrous system.

Gary also tells us that he now knows Bill #147;Maverick Golden as a friend, and Garys A-100 was chosen as Goldens celebrity pick award at the 2000 Chryslers at Carlisle show. Gary says he wont make the same mistake he made in 1979. His dream A-100 is not for sale this time.